Safety in your home

Electrical safety

Five-Yearly Electrical Installation Checks

New national regulations now require all social housing landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected by a qualified electrician at least every five years. These changes are designed to improve safety standards and give tenants greater peace of mind.

What This Means for You:

Regular safety checks: Your home’s wiring, sockets, fuse board and other fixed electrical components will be checked every five years by a qualified professional. This helps identify and fix potential risks before they become problems.

Electrical Safety Report:

After the inspection, you’ll be given an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) within 28 days, or before you move in if you're a new tenant. This report explains the condition of the electrics and highlights any areas needing attention.

Repairs:

If any issues are found, the landlord must put them right within 28 days (or sooner if recommended).

When the New Rules Apply:

From November 2025: Applies to all new tenancies.

From May 2026: Applies to all existing social housing properties.

Need Advice or Have Concerns?

If you're worried about electrical safety in your home at any time, please contact the repairs team.

Electrical Safety Tips

1. Use Plugs and Sockets Safely

  • Avoid overloading sockets as these are a common fire risk.
  • Only use one plug per socket and ensure plugs are correctly wired.
  • Turn off electrical items at the plug when not in use.

2. Charging Devices Safely

  • Always use the original charger or one from a reputable supplier.
  • Never leave items charging overnight or unattended.
  • Charge in a well-ventilated area and keep devices uncovered.
  • Check chargers and leads for damage before use.
  • Do not to charge phones in beds or under pillows.

3. Extension Leads and Adaptors

  • Avoid overloading adaptors even if they have multiple sockets.
  • Never plug one adaptor into another (no daisy chaining).

4. Kitchen Electrical Safety

  • Keep cooking areas clear and clean to prevent grease fires.
  • Never leave cooking unattended.
  • Avoid using appliances like washing machines or tumble dryers overnight.
  • Clean tumble dryer filters regularly.

5. Keeping Electrical Appliances Safe

  • Follow manufacturer instructions and keep appliances in good order.
  • Register new appliances for safety recall alerts.

6. Look Out for Warning Signs

  • Stop using appliances with warm plugs, scorch marks, burning smells or flickering lights.
  • Report warm or scorched sockets, flickering lights, or repeatedly blown fuses.

For further guidance or to find out if you qualify for a free Kent Fire and Rescue Safe and Well Visit, please see Electricity safety | Kent Fire and Rescue Servic

Advice for Council leaseholders

You must not do anything which is likely to damage the structure of the building or cause damage to shared services (such as plumbing to the roof tank, electricity or gas supplies, or sewerage). If you want to carry out any work which may affect the rest of the building, you must first get our permission in writing, as we retain ownership of the fabric of the building. 

Electric Charging Points 

If you wish to install a charging point to your property for your electric vehicles, please contact the Rents & Leaseholder Services Officer via email on leaseholders@dartford.gov.uk.